EBT and Debit Down For Major Grocer

I just used my BofA debit card at a local market.. everything was fine. About 3-4 hours ago.

Was before the news of the actual downgrades was announced.

Going to go to the closest BofA branch since it is business closing time and seee if I can withdraw anycash from the atm.

Will report back in about 30mins to an hour to let you know what happened.

I don't worry about much (not worried as I keep very little cash in banks, only enough for e-transactions, and have a nice stockpile of copper, silver and gold) but given the recent news I'm thinking bank holidays.

Stay tuned.

Quoting: Anonymous Coward 10097155

Decided to wait until after 2000 PST. Was allow to withdraw the remaining balance of the account minus $7.00.

Will bookmark this thread, going to make deposits and withdrawals over the weekend through to tuesday.

Will be doing the same with my accounts held at US Bank also. Will update if anything is amiss with my accounts.

Quoting: Anonymous Coward 10097155

I am on the pacific coast btw.

Quoting: Anonymous Coward 10097155

gotcha, thanks, west coast here as well but i have no money in the bank right now. ;)

It's my understanding that debit is immediate funds being transferred and using my debit card as a line of credit is not taking the funds immediately - but how does the system work for one and not the other - same card - same account...

So yeah, it appears to be an attack on the systems of these providers...

I work for a company that goes through this a lot - but - thats because of storms - and it's always a regional thing - not the whole corporation...

The swipe charge for debit can most definitely cost more than the swipe charge for credit but it all depends on how much is being spent actually - sometimes debit is cheaper - so I doubt this was a ploy to save money for two days on swipe charges.

I heard rumours that it was more widespread than just Publix and I thank all of you for reporting in today!

I reported because - ya never know - when "it" goes down its gotta start somewhere - maybe this isn't the canary in the coil mine - but maybe it is.

don't blame people for being poor, blame the banksters & outsourcing for putting so many in that position.

Quoting: Anne O'Mally

I dont blame the single mothers looking for a way to make ends meet while keeping their kids fed. But i do blame the hoards of people who ABUSE the shit out of EBT, i promise 90% of the EBT recipients are 100% complacent getting free shit.

EBT is a CHOICE for most that use it, long gone are the days where being on public assistance was something the majority didnt want to be on and WORKED to get off it.

Tell me why the fuck the GAS STATION accepts EBT? they buying gas with it? Or im supposed to believe they are grocery shopping there? Gimme a break

Quoting: Anonymous Coward 17022613

They are buying lottery tickets. I have seen it, and reported it.

Quoting: Me too

People are so damn stupid.Time and again its been posted on here that some have their Social Security benefits put on an EBT card.If you dont want a bank account you can have your Social Security deposited on the card.I get so sick and tired of the do gooders turning shit in that they dont really know about.I have had people smart mouth me in the liquor store because I buy myself a bottle.You can not use an EBT card for lottery tickets unless its money benefits on the card.There is more than food stamps that go on EBT cards.ASS U ME

don't blame people for being poor, blame the banksters & outsourcing for putting so many in that position.

Quoting: Anne O'Mally

I dont blame the single mothers looking for a way to make ends meet while keeping their kids fed. But i do blame the hoards of people who ABUSE the shit out of EBT, i promise 90% of the EBT recipients are 100% complacent getting free shit.

EBT is a CHOICE for most that use it, long gone are the days where being on public assistance was something the majority didnt want to be on and WORKED to get off it.

Tell me why the fuck the GAS STATION accepts EBT? they buying gas with it? Or im supposed to believe they are grocery shopping there? Gimme a break

Quoting: Anonymous Coward 17022613

They are buying lottery tickets. I have seen it, and reported it.

Quoting: Me too

and yessssss I buy my gas with my card because its MY social security benefits on the card.

don't blame people for being poor, blame the banksters & outsourcing for putting so many in that position.

Quoting: Anne O'Mally

I dont blame the single mothers looking for a way to make ends meet while keeping their kids fed. But i do blame the hoards of people who ABUSE the shit out of EBT, i promise 90% of the EBT recipients are 100% complacent getting free shit.

EBT is a CHOICE for most that use it, long gone are the days where being on public assistance was something the majority didnt want to be on and WORKED to get off it.

Tell me why the fuck the GAS STATION accepts EBT? they buying gas with it? Or im supposed to believe they are grocery shopping there? Gimme a break

Quoting: Anonymous Coward 17022613

They are buying lottery tickets. I have seen it, and reported it.

Quoting: Me too

People are so damn stupid.Time and again its been posted on here that some have their Social Security benefits put on an EBT card.If you dont want a bank account you can have your Social Security deposited on the card.I get so sick and tired of the do gooders turning shit in that they dont really know about.I have had people smart mouth me in the liquor store because I buy myself a bottle.You can not use an EBT card for lottery tickets unless its money benefits on the card.There is more than food stamps that go on EBT cards.ASS U ME

Quoting: Anonymous Coward 18380833

This is true... Asks anyone who receives paper checks at their jobs - all of them are being forced to either do direct deposit(for those who trusts banks with there cash) or be sent a debit card... paperless society - my company forced us into a debit card and they said they were doing this to save on mail costs and to help the environment.

Social Security and child support are now totally off paper checks I believe - at least it is in Florida - and if you don't have a bank account - they send you a debit card... You don't have the ability to choose paper checks any longer here.

don't blame people for being poor, blame the banksters & outsourcing for putting so many in that position.

Quoting: Anne O'Mally

I dont blame the single mothers looking for a way to make ends meet while keeping their kids fed. But i do blame the hoards of people who ABUSE the shit out of EBT, i promise 90% of the EBT recipients are 100% complacent getting free shit.

EBT is a CHOICE for most that use it, long gone are the days where being on public assistance was something the majority didnt want to be on and WORKED to get off it.

Tell me why the fuck the GAS STATION accepts EBT? they buying gas with it? Or im supposed to believe they are grocery shopping there? Gimme a break

Quoting: Anonymous Coward 17022613

They are buying lottery tickets. I have seen it, and reported it.

Quoting: Me too

People are so damn stupid.Time and again its been posted on here that some have their Social Security benefits put on an EBT card.If you dont want a bank account you can have your Social Security deposited on the card.I get so sick and tired of the do gooders turning shit in that they dont really know about.I have had people smart mouth me in the liquor store because I buy myself a bottle.You can not use an EBT card for lottery tickets unless its money benefits on the card.There is more than food stamps that go on EBT cards.ASS U ME

Quoting: Anonymous Coward 18380833

I get that the SS is used on them and there are also TANF and a money allowance for non food items.

But it is annoying to know that people ARE indeed abusing the system, people ARE spending that money on luxuries (and I don't mean the SS$$) they can buy whatever they want heck they can withdraw it and buy an 8ball if they want.

It's sad when people work hard for the little they have and watch others abuse a system put in place to temporarily help them in a time of need and appear better off than a middle class family.

But back to your original point, no you cannot possibly know if that person is using SS or TANF ( or whatever it's called).

Edited because my iPad apparently likes to make me appear drunk. I can spell. :)

I dont blame the single mothers looking for a way to make ends meet while keeping their kids fed. But i do blame the hoards of people who ABUSE the shit out of EBT, i promise 90% of the EBT recipients are 100% complacent getting free shit.

EBT is a CHOICE for most that use it, long gone are the days where being on public assistance was something the majority didnt want to be on and WORKED to get off it.

Tell me why the fuck the GAS STATION accepts EBT? they buying gas with it? Or im supposed to believe they are grocery shopping there? Gimme a break

Quoting: Anonymous Coward 17022613

They are buying lottery tickets. I have seen it, and reported it.

Quoting: Me too

People are so damn stupid.Time and again its been posted on here that some have their Social Security benefits put on an EBT card.If you dont want a bank account you can have your Social Security deposited on the card.I get so sick and tired of the do gooders turning shit in that they dont really know about.I have had people smart mouth me in the liquor store because I buy myself a bottle.You can not use an EBT card for lottery tickets unless its money benefits on the card.There is more than food stamps that go on EBT cards.ASS U ME

Quoting: Anonymous Coward 18380833

This is true... Asks anyone who receives paper checks at their jobs - all of them are being forced to either do direct deposit(for those who trusts banks with there cash) or be sent a debit card... paperless society - my company forced us into a debit card and they said they were doing this to save on mail costs and to help the environment.

Social Security and child support are now totally off paper checks I believe - at least it is in Florida - and if you don't have a bank account - they send you a debit card... You don't have the ability to choose paper checks any longer here.

Quoting: Sol1d1nt3l

If you get social security you have until march 2013 to sign up for direct deposit and if you dont they automatically start depositing it on the direct express ebt card like it or not.I already get mine on the card.People look at others assume to damn much.Georgia child support is also put on the same card as the food stamp card.

I dont blame the single mothers looking for a way to make ends meet while keeping their kids fed. But i do blame the hoards of people who ABUSE the shit out of EBT, i promise 90% of the EBT recipients are 100% complacent getting free shit.

EBT is a CHOICE for most that use it, long gone are the days where being on public assistance was something the majority didnt want to be on and WORKED to get off it.

Tell me why the fuck the GAS STATION accepts EBT? they buying gas with it? Or im supposed to believe they are grocery shopping there? Gimme a break

Quoting: Anonymous Coward 17022613

They are buying lottery tickets. I have seen it, and reported it.

Quoting: Me too

People are so damn stupid.Time and again its been posted on here that some have their Social Security benefits put on an EBT card.If you dont want a bank account you can have your Social Security deposited on the card.I get so sick and tired of the do gooders turning shit in that they dont really know about.I have had people smart mouth me in the liquor store because I buy myself a bottle.You can not use an EBT card for lottery tickets unless its money benefits on the card.There is more than food stamps that go on EBT cards.ASS U ME

Quoting: Anonymous Coward 18380833

This is true... Asks anyone who receives paper checks at their jobs - all of them are being forced to either do direct deposit(for those who trusts banks with there cash) or be sent a debit card... paperless society - my company forced us into a debit card and they said they were doing this to save on mail costs and to help the environment.

Social Security and child support are now totally off paper checks I believe - at least it is in Florida - and if you don't have a bank account - they send you a debit card... You don't have the ability to choose paper checks any longer here.

Quoting: Sol1d1nt3l

My cousin works in management for Dollar General and her wages are put on an EBT card.She dont have the option where she works to get a paper check.All these nosy people are going to have the hands full reporting every one that uses an EBt for something they dont approve of starting next year for sure.Since most people if they have a job by then will be getting paid on an ebt card.Bottom line is people need to mind their own business and stop assuming.During my many years seldom have I seen many things that were exactly as they looked like they might be.You can never REALLY know a situation just by looking and assuming.

Does anyone know how the whole credit/debit card thing is "programmed?"

I'm still at a loss as to how a credit line on the bank account can work but debit - using the same card/account - would not work.

I thought maybe something that disrupted the 4-Digit pin system - as that is one major difference between the two.

Where does the pin system come from?

Is the pin system operated by the major credit card company or the bank?

Quoting: Sol1d1nt3l

I dont know but I am thinking that because as a debit it is instantly pulled from your bank account.As credit it takes a bit of time for the charge to make it on the account.My credit cards have a pin too in case I ever need to get cash from an ATM.So my guess is its the banks payment processing thats having the problems.Just a guess.I think banks are having a lo more issues than the people are being made aware of.What happens if we get up one day and a bank says 'all our records have been wiped out' Sure we might have a statement etc but how would the bank 'find' our money to give us any.All these electronic records could disappear real quick like.. then what..not much..we sit and wait and probably get nothing

Please post State and City where EBT/DEBIT cards are NOT working, so that we can track how wide spread this is.

Quoting: Anonymous Coward 14270355

thanks...:)

credit not working as well rules out the pin issue...taking a leap here but, as we learned, jp morgan basically owns the welfare system...what is going on with them? are the banks effected related in any way to jp morgan?

you know, this may sound stupid but, i could swear i just saw that same cat a second ago.

TAMPA --Many cash registers at Publix, Sweetbay and other retailers were unable to process debit cards and some credit cards today amid what appeared to be a widespread network breakdown.

The outages were sporadic, and systems did work some times for some customers at the 1,000-plus Publix stores, said spokeswoman Shannon Patten. Many customers who planned to use debit were required to use a credit card or pay cash.

The breakdown appeared to start at least as early as 9 a.m. and had not been fixed as of late this afternoon. Other retailers, including Walmart and Old Navy, saw no breakdowns. [link to www2.tbo.com]

Quoting: 32° Southern Traveler

"Calls to Retalix during the afternoon reached a recorded message that said the offices were closed, and messages sent to company executives via email were not answered."